"
"That doesn't smack very strongly of suicide, Chick," remarked Nick,
with a glance at the former.
"I should say not," replied Chick, with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Did Boyden know where Mary went after he left her?" inquired Nick,
reverting to his visitor.
"No, sir. He declared to the officer that he did not."
"What mention did he make of a package carried by the girl?"
"He stated that Mary had what appeared to be a small, square box, done
up in brown wrapping paper, and secured with a string."
"Did he make any inquiries about it?"
"He asked her what it was, and she told him it was for me."
"Did she tell him where she got it?"
"Yes, sir, she did; and I am quite mystified by it."
"Please explain," said Nick. "What did the Barton girl say about the
parcel?"
"She said it was given to her by a woman whom she had met on Fifth
Avenue a short time before."
"An acquaintance?"
"No, sir; a strange woman," continued Violet. "Yet the stranger must
have known Mary, and that she lived with me, for she asked her if I was
at home."
"And then?"
"When told that I was, she gave Mary the package and asked her to
deliver it to me, into my hands only, as it was a gift from a friend.
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